Leather Products Ethiopia

Ethiopia is well-known for its finished leather products. The country has great potential to position itself as a sustainable sourcing destination. Its leather sector has opportunities to grow economically and socially and boost export development.  

The European Union (EU) is an important importer and exporter of leather products. During the last 2 decades, there has been a sudden increase in EU imports of leather products. In particular, imports of chrome-free leather products and footwear have increased. 

In this project, the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) helps Ethiopian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the leather industry explore opportunities in the European market. The project also involves cooperation with different Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in the leather sector.

Project goals

This project aims to

• Establish a stable position for Ethiopian leather products in the mid and mid-high segments of the European market. To do this, the project offers technical help to (aspiring) exporting SMEs in the Ethiopian leather products sector.
• Work on capacity development in the export-enabling environment via cooperation with BSOs.

Project participants and products

10 companies are taking part in this export coaching project. These companies export leather products such as sustainably sourced handbags, gloves, and accessories like wallets and credit card holders.

Contact CBI at consumer@cbi.eu to learn more about these companies or to contact these exporters directly.

You can also meet these potential suppliers at the Who's Next fashion trade fair in Paris, France, from 6-8 September 2025.

Partners

CBI works with several partners to improve the export-enabling environment of the Ethiopian leather products sector. Partners include:

• Leather and Leather Products Research Development Centre (LLPRDC) (previously the Leather Industry Development Institute (LIDI));
• Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA);
• Centre for Accelerated Women's Economic Empowerment (CAWEE);
• Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations (ECCSA);
• The Ethiopian Ministry of Industry.

Activities

This project includes:

• Online) training activities;
• A market orientation mission to Italy in 2022;
• (Online) coaching from CBI sector experts;
• Workshops on relevant topics such as EU market access requirements, product development, gender and Corporate Social Responsibility;
• Participation in European trade fairs and networking events. The companies have exhibited at Who's Next 2023 and Who's Next 2024. This year, they will participate again in Who's Next in Paris, France, from 6-8 September 2025;
• Capacity building of selected BSOs in the leather sector. This involves helping BSOs improve their service level;
• Activities focusing on improving sector collaboration, for example, working together to implement a sector export market plan developed in 2022.
• Assisting the sector with promoting the unique Ethiopian Highland Sheep leather, among others by organising a stakeholder conference in June 2024 and providing a platform to showcase EHL products at the Paris trade fair Who’s Next’24.

Get involved as an importer

Are you a European importer interested in leather products from companies in Ethiopia? Contact CBI to get more information or to meet with suppliers in this project being trained to export to Europe.